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Entries Tagged as 'snowmobile'

Sable Highlands Recreation Proposals Include Improving Camping, Hiking, Fishing and Mountain Biking

April 30th, 2009 · 2 Comments · News

Public Invited to Offer Input at May 6 Meeting in Saranac

A new draft plan for recreational uses of the Sable Highlands in the northeastern Adirondacks includes proposals to construct camping sites, improve old and create new hiking trails, enhance fishing access and open two new mountain biking routes, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Betsy Lowe announced today.

The Sable Highlands Conservation Easement Lands consist of approximately 84,000 acres of land in the towns of Ellenburg and Saranac in Clinton County, and Bellmont and Franklin in Franklin County.

“The plan outlines extensive and varied recreational opportunities, including motorized recreation, on the Sable Highlands Conservation Easement Lands,” said Regional Director Lowe. “DEC is pleased to have worked with Chateaugay Woodlands and the Nature Conservancy in developing public access on these lands, while protecting the natural resources and retaining timber management jobs.”

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Let the Games Begin – Adirondack Snowmobile Trails Open

December 19th, 2008 · No Comments · News

DEC OPENS GATES ON AREA SNOWMOBILE TRAILS

Gates on snowmobile trails on area forest preserve lands are now open New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Betsy M. Lowe announced today.

“DEC is pleased to work with local snowmobile clubs to allow residents and visitors to participate in this recreational activity,” said Regional Director Lowe. “We ask that snowmobilers take measures to ensure their own safety, respect others using the trail system and to protect the natural resources of the Adirondacks.”

DEC typically waits until there is a foot of snow cover before opening the gates. This is to protect the trail surface, the riders and natural resources adjacent to the trail. Gates are open on the following trail sections:

  • C7B between the Village of Saranac Lake and Lake Kushuqua;
  • C8 between Meacham Lake and Madwaska Pond; and
  • The spur trail between Madwaska Pond and the Blue Mountain Road.

DEC cautions snowmobilers to be aware of obstacles and detours, particularly

  • A new temporary trail route in the Meacham Lake Public Campground;
  • Logging activity in the area around the Wolf Pond Road section of C8D; and
  • Downed limbs and trees, which may be present on any of the trails.

Snowmobilers are reminded to be properly equipped and prepared before going out. Plan your trips, know your route and check weather conditions before going out on the trail. While riding, stay on marked trails, obey the rules for safe snowmobiling, and be respectful of other snowmobilers, skiers or snowshoers you may encounter on trails.

Speed and alcohol are the two main factors in snowmobile accidents. Always travel at speeds that are reasonable or prudent under the surrounding conditions, obey posted speed limits, and don’t exceed the state speed limit of 55 mph. Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

More safety tips and a complete list of rules and regulations can be found in the “New York State Snowmobiler’s Guide” and on the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s web site: http://nysparks.state.ny.us/

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Snowmobile Fees Grease Government

May 13th, 2008 · 3 Comments · News

Back when New York State Snowmobile Registration Fees went up, I noted the mafia-like “tax” people had to pay just to get on their sled. Now it seems the Adirondack Council is questioning the New York State Snowmobile Association’s $5/tag-funded PAC.

Is money earmarked for snowmobile registration, finding its way into the pockets of some NYS lawmakers? That assertion is coming from the Adirondack Council, which maintains NYS Snowmobile Association members may unwittingly be sending some of the fee’s collected each year, into a Political Action Committee which is then making donations to the campaign war chests of certain state legislators. The Adirondack Council is questioning this, calling it politics at its worst.
In addition, the Council is questioning a benefit given to Snowmobile Association members, which lowers the cost of registration if they join a NYS Snowmobile Association affiliated snowmobile club.
The Council plans to bring this matter to the attention of the NYS Attorney General for further investigation, since some of the lawmakers who pushed legislation allowing this change in the registration ‘fee structure’, are the same ones who’ve received PAC dollars from the Snowmobile Association.

Link – WTVH

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